Rhea Middle Soccer Has Historic Season in 2022

Evensville, TN --The first place Eagles started the playoff week by cruising to a 9-0 victory at home over rival Athens. This was a second round game as RMS earned a bye for Monday’s first round matches. Three goals were scored in this match by Molly Hughes, two by Mercy Ferguson, and a goal each by Jetta Sharp, Madison Smith, Lilah Sullivan, and Avery Dyer.

In the second game of the week, the conference finals, the Eagles lost to a well prepared Cleveland team at home before a large and very supportive crowd. Rising star, wing Mercy Ferguson was taken out early with a knee injury on a hard foul. Minutes later opposing players got tangled up in the RMS box which resulted in a penalty kick that Cleveland put under the diving hand of keeper Liberty Raymer. The Eagles rallied and had several chances on goal including several well placed corner kicks by Emerson White but none found the net and the half ended 0-1.

An emotional Eagles team struggled to collect themselves against a very physical Cleveland team in the second half and the score ended 0-4.

This ended the Eagles historic season and one of many firsts. They ended the regular season undefeated winning the regular season which is a first. No Rhea Middle School team has ever scored as many goals 78, which included 69 goals in the regular season and only allowing three goals in the regular season which is another first.

Other records include most shutouts with nine during the regular season. Finally Molly Hughes scored the most middle school goals by a single player with 28. Coach Audrey Norman said “Coach Mark and I are incredibly proud of all that these girls have accomplished this season. It has been great to see them grow as players and come together as a team. We are sad to seeso many move on to high school but we think the high school women’s team has a very bright future and we also know we have a great group of up and coming players for next fall.”

Article by Mark Palmer.

After the game all conference honors were announced to the following players: Emerson White,

Molly Hughes, Avery Dyer, Kiera Graham, and Lilah Sullivan.